{"id":10879,"date":"2026-08-02T20:20:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T00:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legeros.com\/blog\/?p=10879"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:21:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:21:08","slug":"fireworks-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legeros.com\/blog\/fireworks-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This is part two of a multi-part series about fireworks incidents and disasters in North Carolina. Read others: Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n

Part 2 – Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936<\/strong><\/p>\n

See source materials in this Google Drive folder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion<\/strong>
\nDecember 24, 1936<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Christmas Eve, 1936, around 10:13 p.m., a fireworks store at 25 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville exploded. Two people were killed and 11 others were injured. It occurred in a retail area that was busy with shoppers finishing their holiday shopping.<\/p>\n

The explosion was followed by a series of smaller blasts that continued for several minutes, reported the next day\u2019s Asheville Citizen. The first explosion \u201cblew several persons in the store out into the street.\u201d Those outside the building said the blast \u201calmost knocked them to their feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Asheville Fire Department received the first alarm at 10:13 p.m. A general alarm followed, with seven of the city\u2019s eight fire companies responding to the scene. They included the units from Station 1, just up the block at Pack Square.<\/p>\n

\u201cScores of volunteers assisted the firemen with their work,\u201d reported the next day’s newspapers. The explosion \u201cdemolished\u201d the two-story business.<\/p>\n

Killed were a 30 year-old male employee of the story and a 38 year-old woman (customer?).<\/p>\n

The injured people ranged in ages from 12 to 29, with injuries ranging from burns, cuts and bruises, and eardrum damage.<\/p>\n

The most seriously injured victim was the brother of the store owner, who was transported and admitted to Mission Hospital. The other ten were discharged after receiving attention at the hospital.<\/p>\n

The owner later asked authorities to investigate if the store was \u201cdynamited,\u201d believing vandals caused the explosion.<\/p>\n

From Sanborn Maps in 1917 and 1956, the building was a two-story brick business, mid-block between Walnut and College. It adjoined other two-story buildings on either side.<\/p>\n

List of Victims<\/strong><\/p>\n

Killed<\/p>\n